Passing down culture is an important value of the Chickasaw Nation and that expression can be experienced through East Central University’s rendition of ‘Chickasaw Tales’ on Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 13 at 2:30 p.m. at the Ataloa Theatre of the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center.

Around the world, key components of cultures are passed down from generations in a number of ways. One of the most important avenues to transmit lessons to posterity is through indigenous stories. Humans have told stories all the way back through recorded history.

The East Central University Veterans Upward Bound Program has been approved for a new five-year grant cycle of $275,153, it was recently announced.

The ECU VUB program is designed to provide academic and supportive services to eligible veterans in an effort to generate the skills and motivation necessary to enter and succeed in a program of post-secondary education, whether it be through a vocational or technical school or through a two or four-year college or university.

Maxine Davenport has written a fiction book which chronicles the other side of John Steinbeck’s novel, The Grapes of Wrath.

The East Central University graduate will be in Ada during ECU homecoming festivities on Saturday, Oct. 6, to sign copies of her book, Saturday Matinee. The book signing is set for 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. with a break to follow for the annual Golden Tiger Brunch. Following the brunch, she will resume her book signing.

East Central University student Loren Dunnam has been serving as a National Child Awareness Month Youth Ambassador.

Dunnam, a junior accounting major from Coalgate and an enrolled member of the Creek Nation, is one of 51 Youth Ambassadors (each selected from the 50 states and Washington D.C.), who have received funding and training to lead a campaign called ‘Kids 4 Kids’, which will provide clothing and supplies to the children of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma.

She was selected for the project by Youth Service America (YSA) and the Festival of Children Foundation.

A $250,000 gift from the Dr. Raniyah Ramadan Foundation in Oklahoma City will help fulfill one of East Central University’s long-time goals providing a state-of-the-art research facility and program for undergraduate students.

That gift and a $701,100 grant from a Native American Serving Nontribal Institutions Program will provide the bulk of the funding for the Dr. Raniyah Ramadan Center for Undergraduate Research and Learning that will include two undergraduate research labs for biology and one each for chemistry, environmental health science and psychology.

Two big events, hosted by the East Central University Alumni Association, will take place during ‘A Super Tiger Homecoming 2012’ weekend on Oct. 5-6.

The annual homecoming golf tournament, a four-person scramble, is scheduled for the Oak Hills Golf and Country Club in Ada on Friday, Oct. 5. The entry fee is $125 per person with a $5 mulligan fee (limit of four mulligans per team).

Season passes are still on sale for the remaining 2012-2013 East Central University Fine Arts season.

The four remaining feature performances include: Route 66: ‘Finding Nat King Cole’ performed by Jeff Obafemi Carr on Nov. 2, The Gilbert and Sullivan Players in ‘I’ve Got a Little Twist’ on Jan. 24, Broadway by Jeri (Broadway Veteran Jeri Sager) on March 13 and ‘An Evening with Groucho’ performed by Frank Ferrante on April 19.

East Central University's mission is to foster a learning environment in which students, faculty, staff, and community
interact to educate students for life in a rapidly changing and culturally diverse society. Within its service area,
East Central University provides leadership for economic development and cultural enhancement.